First issue, Aug., 1936. CGC 5.5. Cream to off-white pages. This publication is of major significance in the development of The Lone Ranger character. As The Lone Ranger radio show was becoming a nationwide popular phenomenon, the Spartan Publishing Co. of New York City published this "Ashcan" prototype for a monthly pulp magazine. Publication measures 7x10" with 32 pages and a color cover in shades of black, white and red. Cover is titled "The Lone Ranger" with a 5¢ cover price. Title page stipulates "Volume 1 Aug., 1936 Number 1." Created for copyright purposes, this is the very issue submitted to the Library of Congress. Front cover depicts The Lone Ranger wearing a red bandanna rather than trademark black mask. Has ink-stamped word "SAMPLE" in upper left while Silver's head has a 1.25" oval red ink stamp. Stamp is legible and reads "Aug. 25, 1936" and below "Periodical Division." However, because of the angle of the stamp strike, the text around the upper edge is incomplete with only a few scattered letters, but enough to make out "Library of Congress" with probably "Washington DC" following. In addition, on the top margin of the title page, is black ink stamp with copyright symbol followed by "C1B310139" and date "Jul. 10, 1936." This prototype is dated 7 months prior to the first issue of the mass circulation publication which was titled "The Lone Ranger Magazine" with the Vol. 1, No. 1 issue dated Apr., 1937. Spartan changed their name to Trojan by Apr. or May, 1937. This prototype lists and contains 2 western stories by Wayne Brooks and Peter Stuart with 6 illustrations. The stories have no Lone Ranger content, but the third entry on the title page lists page 21 as the start of story "The Lone Ranger Rides - A Glimpse Down Pioneer Trail." This part of large, bold type reads in part "...It's The Man Who Rides Alone Who Meets Danger In The Most Dramatic Fashion...The Lone Rider Carries Excitement Wherever He Goes! Follow The Adventures Of The Lone Ranger In Every Thrilling Issue Of This Magazine." The magazine also carries several full page or smaller advertising pages, including a full-page Johnson-Smith ad showing 21 of their novelties and offering their catalogue. Inside covers are blank, back cover is ad for musical instruction from US School of Music. An interesting and special item in the history of The Lone Ranger as it depicts him in bandanna rather than his more familiar mask. We are pleased to offer the best condition copy of only 2 known examples. First appearance of The Lone Ranger in print.